Crank Brothers S.O.S Tools - A Full System To Carry All The Tools & Spares You Need!

Did Crank Brothers Just Make The Best All In One Solution To Carry All the Tools & Spares You Need On Trail?

Accessory mounts are becoming more and more popular on new bike offerings, and with these particular mounts in mind, Crank Brothers has made a new tool line called the S.O.S series. The Crank Brothers SOS Series is a range of bike tools designed to not only fix any issue you might have out on the trail, but also cleanly integrate to your bikes water bottle mounts and accessory mounts. What are accessory mounts? What we refer to as an accessory mount is a set of water bottle threaded inserts on the bike typically found under the top tube or further up on the downtube where you can bolt on accessories, much like what the Crank Brothers SOS line is offering. I've been a fan of accessory mounts since the first Revel Ranger was launched and many of my bikes have had them since, helping me carry tubes, tire patches, C02, and other small bits I might need on the trail. 

5 New Tools

At the core, there are a total of 5 versions you can mix and match to get an insane spare tool and water bottle setup. Many of the same tools are shared like the multi-tool, the chain breaker and the tire lever across all 5 versions, with a water bottle cage being shared across two versions and a spare tube cradle being shared across two versions. 

Shared Tools/Main Tools:

S.O.S. Multi-Tool:

The SOS Multi-tool has two versions, one that comes with the TT17 Twin Tube Kit, and the other that comes in both the stash tool kits. The Multi -Tool only has 1 bit that is changed, on the TT17 Twin Tube kit you get a tire plug punch in the spot that on the stash tool kits a t10 torx bit is in that spot. Other than that you get a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, T25 and a flathead bit on this multi tool. It also has a spot on the side of the tool for a spare chain link. 

S.O.S. CO2 Chain Breaker:

The Chain Breaker you find in all the versions with tools has a chain breaker, a valve core remover, a 0, 1, and 2 spoke wrench flats, as well as a built in c02 inflator. This little addition rules and really completes the tool to have about everything you need to fix a bike on the trail. 

Tire Lever Tool:

The Tire lever comes with 4 of the 5 tool versions, and is integrated into the bottle cage as well as the tube stash. The Tire lever is thick and has enough girth to take off a thick enduro or downhill casing tire on the side of the trail. You will find a tire plug tool on the backside of the tire lever and some storage for tire plugs. 

TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit:

The Crank Brothers TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit is a dual tube system that bolts on to your accessory mounts featuring two tubes spring loaded with one side holding the SOS Multi-Tool and Chain Breaker, and the other side can hold spare links, zip ties, or what I would do is a 20g C02 as the tube is designed to fit that size C02 snug inside of it. There is also a sneaky tire lever on the inside, while not as beefy of a tire lever as the other tools, you still have one in case of an issue. This little kit looks super clean on the bike, holding what you need and nothing you don't. You'll barely notice it on your bike as it's as thin or thinner than most tubes this will be mounted to. 

Features:

• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex
• T25 torx tool
• Flat screwdriver
• Tire plug tool + 2x plugs
• Tire lever
• Chain tool
• Spoke wrenches 0, 1, 2
• Valve core tool
• CO2 head
• Storage tube
• 247g
• Fits a spare chain link + 16/20g CO2, sold separately

• MSRP $/€ 119.99

BC2 Bottle Cage +:

The SOS BC2 Bottle Cage + is a reversible side entry water bottle cage that is really 3 pieces. You have the backing piece to hold the bottom of the bottle, you have the main cage part that is reversible so you can have a right or left side entry cage. With a tire lever that plugs into the center of the cage, this is the same tire lever found on all the water bottle cages or tube stash mounts. 

Features:

• Reversible left / right entry bottle cage design
• Tire plug tool + 2x plugs
• Tire lever
• 73g
• MSRP $/€ 39.99

BC18 Bottle Cage Tool Kit:

Adding onto the SOS BC2 Bottle Cage, the BC18 Tool Kit uses the same cage with a different backing piece, allowing you to attach an alloy tube that holds the Multi-Tool and Chain Breaker/C02 inflator as well as a few tire plugs in the cap of this alloy tube. The other side of the backing piece is perfect size for a Crank Brothers hand pump (not included) or also a 16g or 20g c02. Both sides have a rubber band to hold in the tube, pump or C02. The tire lever is still found pressed into the middle of the cage. 

Features:

• Reversible left / right entry bottle cage design
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex
• T10, T25 torx tools
• Flat screwdriver
• Tire plug tool + 4x plugs
• Tire lever
• Chain tool
• Spoke wrenches 0, 1, 2
• Valve core tool
• CO2 head
• 247g
• Fits a spare chain link + 16/20/25g CO2 or

Crankbrothers Klic HV pump, sold separately

• Optimized width for maximum pedaling clearance
• MSRP $/€ 99.99

TS2 Tube Stash +:

The TS2 Tube Stash is exactly that, it's a cradle that has a velcro strap to hold a spare tube and anything else you want to put in there. In the middle is the tire lever pressed into the cradle. 

Features:

• Tube / gear storage with hook-and-loop strap
• Tire plug tool + 2x plugs
• Tire lever
• 53g
• MSRP $/€ 29.99

TS18 Tube Stash Tool Kit:

The TS18 Stash tool kit is the whole TS2 Tube Stash Kit with a backing part to hold the same alloy tube from the BC18 Bottle Cage Kit holding the Multi-Tool and Chain Breaker/C02 inflator. 

Features:

• Tube / gear storage with hook-and-loop strap
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex
• T10, T25 torx tools
• Flat screwdriver
• Tire plug tool + 4x plugs
• Tire lever
• Chain tool
• Spoke wrenches 0, 1, 2
• Valve core tool
• CO2 head
• 229g
• Fits a spare chain link + 16/20/25g CO2 or

Crankbrothers Klic HV pump, sold separately

• Optimized width for maximum pedaling clearance
• MSRP $/€ 89.99

Setup’s and Personal Thoughts:

I personally rode the BC18 Bottle Cage to hold my water bottle and get the tools further down on the bike to keep the center of gravity low. This allowed me to have the alloy tube to hold the Multi-Tool and Chain Breaker/C02 Head and I had a 20g C02 on the other side of the cage holder. I then just used the TS2 Tube Stash on my accessory mount to hold my spare tube and tire patches. The water bottle cage holds the water bottle great, and when I did have to use the tools they worked how they are supposed to. I like this setup for my riding needs but as you can see there are a lot of different options you can run. Another good option would be the BC2 Bottle Cage with the TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit. That will give you all the tools you need and hold your water bottle as well. 

Worldwide’s Final Thoughts:

Crank Brothers is not new to the tool world, making some amazing multi-tools over the years. Now they have the SOS series to fully utilize the water bottle and accessory mounts on your frame, keeping all your trail side tools handy without being in the way. With 5 versions of SOS tools to choose from, you can mix and match for your preference and bike style.